Hybrid Turbine Engine Supercapacitor Layout for Low-Loss Power Assist
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aircraft turbine engines face inefficiencies due to the need for high-capacity electrical energy sources and associated bulk and high electrical losses when using electrical systems for propulsion assistance, particularly during critical phases like takeoff.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained hybrid turbine engine with capacitive components, such as carbon nanotube supercapacitors, arranged in concentric circles within the nacelle to supply electrical energy directly from the mechanical power feed device, reducing bulk and electrical losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-capacity electrical energy sources are installed within the aircraft area to assist the turbine engine, then electrical energy supply capability is improved, but bulk and electrical losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the capacitive energy storage function from the aircraft's main electrical system and integrates it directly into the turbine engine's mechanical power feed device. This extraction eliminates the need for separate high-capacity electrical energy sources within the aircraft area, thereby reducing bulk and electrical losses while maintaining the capability to supply significant electrical energy during critical phases such as takeoff.
2Power
If high-capacity electrical energy sources are installed within the aircraft area to assist the turbine engine, then electrical energy supply capability is improved, but the system bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the capacitive energy storage system with the turbine engine's mechanical power feed device into a single integrated unit. By combining these functions, the system eliminates the need for separate electrical energy source installations within the aircraft area, thereby reducing overall system bulk while maintaining the capability to supply significant electrical energy during critical phases.
3Volume of moving object
If capacitive components are arranged in concentric circles within the nacelle, then connection length and bulk are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a concentric circular arrangement of capacitive components within the nacelle, utilizing curved geometries to optimize space utilization and minimize connection lengths. This circular configuration allows components to be positioned radially around the engine axis, reducing the distance electrical connections must travel while efficiently utilizing the available volume within the nacelle structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables efficient energy storage and delivery during critical phases, minimizing mass and connection length while maintaining high power delivery, thus enhancing propulsion performance.
Implementation Method 1
the turbine engine comprises capacitive components adapted to supply the turbine engine with electrical energy through said mechanical power feed device
Implementation Method 2
capacitive components, such as carbon nanotube supercapacitors
Data Source
AI summary
A twin-spool turbine engine has a low-pressure turbine connected to a low-pressure compressor by a rotating low-pressure shaft, a high-pressure turbine connected to a high-pressure compressor by a rotating high-pressure shaft, and a mechanical power feed device on at least one of the rotating shafts. The turbine engine also includes capacitive components adapted to supply the turbine engine with electrical energy through the mechanical power feed device, the capacitive components being arranged on the turbine engine or on a support structure of the turbine engine and being arranged to form at least one pair of concentric circles centered on a main axis of the turbine engine, the circles of capacitive components being radially close to one another.